Microsoft has unveiled its Surface tablet and company executives showed two versions of the Windows tablet to attendees at an event in Hollywood. Surface is designed to enable seamless transition between consumption and creation, without compromise.

Microsoft has unveiled their Surface tablet, and company executives showed two versions of the Windows tablet to attendees at an event in Hollywood (image: Microsoft)

Conceived, designed and engineered entirely by Microsoft employees, Surface represents a unique vision for the seamless expression of entertainment and creativity.

Surface sports a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio – the industry standard for HD. It has edges angled at 22 degrees, a natural position for the PC at rest or in active use, letting the hardware fade into the background and the software stand out.

The casing of Surface is created using a unique approach called VaporMg, a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish akin to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.

Two models of Surface will be available: one running an ARM processor featuring Windows RT, and one with a third-generation Intel Core processor featuring Windows 8 Pro.

Surface for Windows RT will release with the general availability of Windows 8, and the Windows 8 Pro model will be available about 90 days later. Both will be sold in the Microsoft Store locations in the U.S. and available through select online Microsoft Stores.